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Heritage Walking Tour In Jaipur | Secrets Of Walled City

The Heritage Walking Tour in Jaipur Walled City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains a remarkable way to experience the varied Jaipur heritage. A heritage walk in Jaipur is becoming a preferred choice for the new age explorers. Jaipur walking tour adds a new dimension to experiencing the heritage of the pink city. The kind of queries I received regularly for the Jaipur heritage walk from travelers indicates great interest in the heritage & history of Jaipur. The heritage walking tour in Jaipur is a unique and must-do activity in Jaipur. After undertaking free walking tours in other cities, travelers prefer guided Jaipur walking tours. It is not surprising why this is rising.

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Your Guide to Heritage Walking Tour in Jaipur: Explore Hidden Gems

I have led many Heritage Walking Tours in Jaipur during the last few years. Even though many organizations are offering heritage walks in Jaipur through online portals, most of these are resellers. There are a select few who provide heritage Jaipur walking tours worth experiencing, especially on the Jaipur Heritage Walking route. There are many other interesting Jaipur heritage walking routes.

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There is a fascinating aspect associated with this Jaipur heritage route. Prince Charles undertook the heritage walking route, and later JNN decided to develop it as a model heritage walking route in Jaipur. Cobblestones and “faux” heritage lamp posts are inherent part of the heritage route map.

Why This Jaipur Walking Tour is Popular

This Heritage Walking Tour Jaipur possesses many unique elements like craftsmen, temples, and Havelis, to name a few. One of the temples in the vicinity of the walking tour predates Jaipur City. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu & contains beautiful frescoes. This temple has many unique aspects. It is privately owned and in dire need of restoration.

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There are two temple buildings inside this complex. One of them has beautiful wall paintings and frescoes.

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A few buildings on the route prompt you of the architecture from the 1930s to the 1950s. This was a time when architecture in India was hugely inspired by the Art Deco style. In India, Mumbai represents a classic example of how this architecture shaped the facade of buildings. Rounded corners, Streamline Moderne style, linear appearance, setbacks, and geometric ornamentation are its key features. During the in-person Jaipur Heritage Walk, the development of the architectural styles preceding and succeeding Art-Deco architecture in Jaipur can be explained; this is out of bounds to detail it here in this blog.

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Buildings on Jaipur Heritage Walk route map
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Picture of a Heritage Walking tour Jaipur

Art is one of the distinguishing features of Jaipur. The city is synonymous with art. Isn’t it impressive to witness craftsmen in action? While Moradabad’s brass work is famous the world over, Jaipur has carved out its own niche.

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The brass work one finds in the city caters to a niche segment. The sound of beating the hammer is loud and clear in these lanes.

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A craftsman busy working in the by-lanes of the walled city; photos clicked during a Heritage Walk Jaipur. Woefully, this art is suffering a slow death due to many reasons. These artists are certain that there won’t be many torchbearers to take it ahead.

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Hammer used by the Thatheras. 

As we move ahead on the heritage walking route, there is a variety of Havelis to witness & capture.

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Heritage Haveli Entrance. Jaipur Heritage Walk
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Haveli Facade. Heritage walk in Jaipur.
Facade of a Haveli. Jaipur Heritage Walking Tour

Some of these old heritage Haveli structures will probably be razed down to make new commercial buildings. This is certainly not a desirable activity; unfortunately, this is a reality one experience in this heritage Jaipur walking tour.

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A lot of Haveli facades have undergone massive changes over the last few years. The Haveli in the below picture looks strikingly different today after having undergone restoration ever since I first started undertaking the heritage Jaipur walking tour.

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For an inquisitive mind, there are so many interesting structures in the by-lanes of the walled city of Jaipur. If you love these Havelis/mansions, check out this post The Vanishing Havelis of Jaipur

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The rulers of Jaipur were patrons of arts and crafts. One of Jaipur’s rulers, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, invited scores of artists from across the length and breadth of the country to settle in Jaipur; his descendants took it even further. This art and craft school in Jaipur is a perfect example. The building has an imposing façade with many architectural styles.

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The beautiful facade of Maharajah School of Arts & Craft, Kishanpole Bazar, Jaipur.

If plans go through, the building will be converted into a museum, very soon. Update 2018- Maharajah School of Arts and Crafts has been converted into a museum called – the Museum of Legacies.  

Update 2022- The museum has been closed by the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government; as per the customs, projects started by the previous governments always come to a stall when the opposing parties are in power.

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Read more about this museum- Museum of Legacies| Everything but A Legacy

Most heritage Jaipur walking tours end here. Heritage Walk Jaipur continues its “prescribed” heritage walking tour route map in Jaipur.

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This Haveli formerly owned by the merchant family, has an imposing façade. It is unlikely people won’t notice this Haveli.

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Here is a picture of a victory tower in Jaipur.

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Essentially, a minaret or a victory tower possesses numerous versions as to why it was constructed. Only one is true, but the rest are rumors. It is intriguing how these rumors get strong over the years as they get passed down from one generation to another. The building is known by various names but the most popular is Issar Laat. This is one of the few tourist attractions you can witness on the route of a Heritage Walking Tour Jaipur.

Here is a picture of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II library named after one of the rulers of Jaipur.

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A public library in the heart of the city has undergone restoration over the years. Over here are the pictures of Araiash. It is not in its original state, but rather a lacklustre restoration job.

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As the heritage walking tour in Jaipur Walled City comes to an end, one can’t help but notice this gate at the tri-junction called Tripolia Gate.

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Tripoliya Gate, where the heritage walk by Square by Foot came to an end.

The Jaipur Heritage Walk represents a remarkable way to explore the history and heritage of the city; one walk is not enough.  In my opinion, this walk is just a starting point as other routes are even more interesting and offer a lot more things to witness and explore in Jaipur.

Heritage Walking Tours In Jaipur | Your Questions Answered (FAQ)

Here are a few frequently asked questions on heritage walks in Jaipur.

What Is Jaipur Heritage Walk?

Tourist attractions like Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, etc. are invariably a must-do and they offer a peek into the past. A heritage walking tour in Jaipur is a good idea; it will enrich your travel experience as it provides you with a more thorough understanding of the city’s culture and history. Jaipur Heritage Walk is highly recommended for explorers and travelers. It is vital to undertake the walking tour with a competent person who can provide you with reliable information. Explore Jaipur Retold Walking Tour

Jaipur Heritage Walk Prices

Typically, the price for heritage walking tours in Jaipur can range from Rs. 1000 onward up to Rs. 3700 per person. Prices vary depending on the route, depth of the walk, and experience of the leader. Expect to pay at least Rs. 1800-2600 for quality heritage Jaipur walking tours.

Insider Tips for Finding the Best Jaipur Heritage Tour

It is not uncommon to find Jaipur walking tours listed on online portals at attractively low prices, however, many of them fail in content and curation. Often, such heritage walking tours in Jaipur, listed on popular travel websites, involve commissions for listings; with low-priced Jaipur walks, you never know what’s in the store. In the absence of formal regulations, a growing number of Jaipur walking tours raise concerns about the expertise of guides. Like most popular tourist destinations, tourist scams in Jaipur are a reality. Often, low-cost walking tours in Jaipur will include stops at shops disguised as factories or workshops where gullible travelers are tricked into buying overpriced products. Such Jaipur walking tours are merely another funnel to trick travelers for kickbacks & commissions. Travelers often end up losing time & experience. In some walking tours, the shopping is evident and clear; in others, shopping is disguised. Some well-known companies providing heritage walking tours in Jaipur have been accused of such practices on review portals & forums. For large groups, it is possible to get group pricing for the walking tour. Ensure knowledge, background, and experience.

How Long Do Heritage Walking Tours In Jaipur Last?

The duration of Jaipur walking tour is routinely around an hour and a half to two hours. Some Jaipur walking tours can extend up to three to four hours; typically called half-day tours. In many cases, duration depends on the route and curiosity level of the explorer. With the kind of heritage Jaipur possesses, extended walking tours in Jaipur are an excellent starting point for explorers and heritage lovers.

Jaipur Heritage Walk | How To Explore on Foot?

Here are two suggestions for Jaipur Heritage Walk. These walking tours have different approaches. The first one is a self-guided free Jaipur walking tour and the second one is a guided heritage Jaipur walk.

Free walking Tour in Jaipur | Self-Guided

If you are seeking a free walking tour in Jaipur, which is self-guided and don’t want context or information, read the write-up on this blog – How to do an amazing self-guided walking tour in Jaipur. This walking route in Jaipur can be undertaken at your own pace. This free walking tour in Jaipur requires no assistance.

Walking Tour Jaipur Guided

To undertake a guided heritage walking tour in Jaipur & in-depth information, you can reach out to @arv_jpr or Jaipur Walking Tour. Jaipur city walking tours are a great choice as they allow detailed information on history, heritage, and interaction.

Free Walking Tour in Jaipur vs Guided Jaipur Heritage Walk

Do note that both of these options for walking tours in Jaipur are not comparable. The guided heritage walking tour in Jaipur with a local is much more in-depth and is an interactive experience. The free Jaipur Walking Tour is best suited for photographers who love exploring at their own pace. Self-guided walking tours in Jaipur tend to be popular among those seeking to explore on their own.

Jaipur Hotel Packages with Heritage Walk

Finding Jaipur hotel packages with heritage walks is becoming common. There is nothing wrong with such Jaipur walks. However, the quality of such Jaipur walks is often something to ponder about. As long as something is “sold” as a product, quality always takes a backseat. Why do I say this? A free Heritage Walking Tour in Jaipur is often used as a means to justify the hotel room tariff or package. While a lot of people might find this a good deal, often, the person leading the heritage walk is unbefitting for the work assigned; either because of lack of proficiency in the subject as well as deficiency of mannerisms or soft skills. Many guides accept conducting low-paid heritage walks in Jaipur because they use it as an opportunity to sell something else or to earn kickbacks. This is often the reason why such a walking tour in Jaipur often includes a visit to shops, factories, godowns, or strong recommendations. Delve deeper if you are offered Jaipur hotel packages with heritage walks. Insist on connecting with the person conducting the walking tour to understand what is on offer and assess the competency of the person conducting the walking tour.

My Recommendations For Walking Tour in Jaipur

  • For first-time visitors to Jaipur, I highly recommend a guided heritage walking tour in Jaipur. Jaipur Heritage Walk offers great value in terms of experience. While the heritage walking route in Jaipur is more popular, I have been focussing on other walking routes in Jaipur.
  • Free walking tours or self-guided walking tours in Jaipur are best for regular visitors to Jaipur or photographers who love spending time at their own pace.
  • If you are an overseas traveler, I recommend a guided walking tour in Jaipur as it allows you access to places that you wouldn’t know; a very small price to pay in comparison to the experience. A guided walking tour with a local in Jaipur offers many possibilities.

I hope this blog on heritage walking tours in Jaipur has piqued your interest in undertaking one.

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